Gu Yun was still wearing shoulder guards made of black iron, bringing inside the room with it the frigid air of early winter. The cold iron was tightly attached to Chang Geng's forehead. Suddenly, in the haze of fright, Chang Geng seemed to have returned to the snowy night outside the city gate that year, with the coldness piercing into his bones. He shivered intensely, and it was only then that he gradually broke free from the grasp of nightmares. He thought to himself: I am still alive.

The gears of the house clock rustled as they turned, and the brazier ran by coals had also been heated up. It was like a cauldron, placed in the middle of the room, the thin white smoke emerged from below and was immediately swept away by the pipes. Only the warm heat circulated comfortably around the room.

Getting hugged by Chang Geng so suddenly, Gu Yun was dumbfounded for a while, and a strange feeling filled his heart - for the first time, someone leaned on him with all their strength, almost giving off the sense that they were mutually dependent on each other.

His frivolous appearance of "I am invincible in this world" displayed on a daily basis was, of course, just a facade. He was very well aware of his own strengths and limits. If the Marquis of Order was not so self-aware, after venturing on a few trips out to the battlefields, the grass on his grave would have probably grown as high as a person already.

However, at this moment, Gu Yun's heart suddenly created the illusion of "there is nothing in this world that I cannot do".

Chang Geng's bone structure had grown, but he still bore the fineness of a young child. Just by reaching out and tightening the embrace, one could touch the bones under his ribs through thin clothing.

This thin flesh was pressed on him, alive and heavy. Gu Yun thought - he must take care of this child, so that he could grow up as the Emperor wished, protecting and watching over him, for him to live to a hundred years old, to be safe and sound all his life.

He could finally make up for the incompetence and hopelessness he felt towards A Yan's situation that year.

Gu Yun removed the iron guards on his shoulders, hung it on one side, and got into Chang Geng’s bed still in his full attire, he asked: "Are you missing your mother? - Ah, I meant your aunt."

Chang Geng shook his head.

Chang Geng did not have any deep affection for the Emperor, it seemed that he only called the old Emperor as a father out of respect for Gu Yun. He asked again: "Do you miss Brother Xu?"

This time, Chang Geng did not deny it.